The optimistic atmosphere was palpable amongst the 72 representatives seated at the long table which was the focal point of the Afghanistan Conference. One speaker after another echoed the words of US President Barack Obama and called for an integrated strategy.
Pride
The well-attended conference - held under the auspices of the United Nations - began at 10.45 in the morning. A stream of black Mercedes and other luxury cars poured through the main gate of the World Forum Centre. And by the entrance stood a proud Maxime Verhagen - the Dutch Foreign Minister and official host of the conference.
Welcome
After a word of welcome from Mr Verhagen, the speeches began. Most of them were similar to US President Obama's earlier speech - given in the United States - setting out his new Afghanistan strategy.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende kicked off the proceedings, followed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and then UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon. All three spoke of "renewed energy" and "a political signal of the enormous support for Afghanistan". President Karzai summed up what's needed "we must focus on defence, diplomacy and development".
Part of this new strategy, which everyone agrees is crucial, is the relationship between Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan. Rarely before has there been so much attention turned on Pakistan.
Head against a brick wall
In 2006, the top Dutch military official in Afghanistan at the time, Arie Vermeij, got into serious trouble when he said his mission was like hitting his head against a brick wall because of the porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan which militants were making ample use of. He was told, at the time, to keep his thoughts to himself.
But that wouldn't happen now. With this new, united front coming out of the cConference in The Hague, anything seems possible. Not only can Pakistan be openly called to account, but the US is also ready to talk to the "moderate" Taliban. Even America's archenemy Iran sat down at the same table in The Hague.
* RNW translation (ld)
Tags: Afghanistan, Afghanistan conference, Hamid Karzai, Hillary Clinton., Iran, Pakistan, The Hague